The Dardanelles (California) (1) is a volcanic formation in the Sierra Nevada (Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and Stanislaus National Forest), 37 miles east of Sonora, CA. The volcanic rocks of the Dardanelles reflect a time, millions of years ago, when the Sierra Nevada mountains were primarily volcanic. Since then molten rock and upward pressure created huge areas of granite (termed “batholiths”) underneath the volcanic layers, elevating the mountains.

Over time rain, wind and glaciers carved away the volcanic and granite areas. But for some reason the Dardanelles withstood or bypassed those erosive forces. The Dardanelles stand out in stark contrast to the heavily green forested and granite-rich areas around it.

The ancient rocky top kind of seems like a place where a pterodactyl might make a home.

Seen here on Google Maps, there is a small town called Dardanelles on CA-108 which has a campground and a small resort with a store, gas station, bar, restaurant, camping and RV areas. Unfortunately the 2018 Donnell fire damaged the motel and destroyed the cabins.

Notes:

1. This rock formation in California is not to be confused with a geographic straight in Turkey of the same name, which forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia. In World War I the British, French and other forces attacked the Ottoman Empire there during the Dardanelles/Gallipoli Campaign.
2. The book Hiking Northern California by Ron Adkison (2000) describes the Dardanelles well (from which I drew inspiration) and also lists a loop hike around the Dardanelles Cone as one of the top 80 hikes in Northern California. I didn’t have time to try this moderate 6.6 mile hike on my recent trip but I would like to do it some day.